A club sandwich is an iconic sandwich packed full of flavour and a great way to use up leftover roast chicken too. In this club sandwich recipe UK I have given my take on the classic. This tower of toasted bread with chicken, bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with mayo is a real crowd pleaser. A great picnic sandwich idea and perfect for lunchboxes too.
As no one can agree on which order the ingredients go in, in a chicken club sandwich, I think you can be entirely creative with the order. I love sandwiching the tomatoes in between the bacon and lettuce. This holds them in place and stops them making the bread soggy.
It is definitely worth waiting the time to toast the bread. It really makes the finished sandwich extra epic and it adds a lovely crunch that compliments the soft chicken and bacon.
Why you’ll love this chicken club sandwich recipe
- A classic club sandwich is a delicious way to use up leftover chicken while creating an incredible sandwich.
- There are so many tastes in this club sandwich recipe UK. From the chicken and however it was cooked. Smoked or unsmoked bacon, fresh lettuce and fresh tomatoes too. The mayonaise helps unit all the flavours and bring them together without being over powering.
- Classic club sandwiches make a great picnic sandiwch idea. They are packed full of filling and don’t take up too much space. A great sanwich choice for when you’ve got to carry your lunch on a walk before too.
- This is a healthy way to use up leftover roast chicken.
Top Questions – link to answers later
What is considered club sandwich?
Why is it called a club sandwich?
What’s the difference between a BLT and a club sandwich?
Is a club sandwich healthy?
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
- bread for the toasted outsides of the sandwich. Plus na extra slice for the centre.
- chicken – leftover chicken from a roast dinner works perfectly.
- bacon – I liked smoked but unsmoked works incredibly well too.
- lettuce – I prefer a crisp iceberg lettuce but you can choose your favourite.
- tomatoes – Use up what you have A big juicy buffalo tomato is wonderful but baby tomatoes work well too.
- mayonnaise – you don’t need much but it softens the bread slightly and adds a little creaminess to the finished sandwich.
How to make chicken club sandwich – step by step
- Take the 3 pieces of bread and toast them to your perfect golden brown level.
- On two of the slices divide the mayonnaise and spread it over.
- Build up the bottom half of the sandwich. I start with bacon, then add tomatoes, then lettuce and then chicken.
- Place the first piece of toast with mayonnaise on, mayonnaise down onto the chicken.
- Repeat again and top with the last piece of toasted bread mayonnaise down.
- Gently press down and secure the towering sandwich with toothpicks or cocktail sticks.
- Slice up and serve.
Top Tips
Use leftover roast chicken to help avoid food waste.
Spice it up with a spicy mayonnaise.
I prefer smoked bacon in my club sandwich as I think it gives a better flavour. Unsmoked of course works really well too.
Serving Suggestions
This classic club sandwich really doesn’t need to be served with anything else as it’s so jam packed full of flavours.
If you want to add extra things to the sandwich; crisps and or salad works well.
You could also try serving these sandwiches at a picnic along with some crisps, mustard sausage rolls, Italian-inspired salad, ham and cheese pinwheels and of course a summer fruit traybake.
Equipment
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Storing / Making ahead of time options
As this club sandwich recipe UK uses up leftover chicken it is the perfect sandwich to make, technically in advance.
I often make these sandwiches on a sunday night for work the next day. They won’t go soggy and will taste great the next day. I think you can get away with it being made 1 day in advance as a full sandwich.
Leftover chicken ideas
As well as this classic club sandwich there are lots of meals you can make with leftover chicken;
- Leftover chicken salad wraps
- Leftover chicken Fiesta by Fab Food 4 All
- Chicken and Leek Soup by Farmersgirl Kitchen
- Mushroom and chicken pie by Recipes made Easy
- Leftover roast chicken quiche by Gluten Free Alchemist
- Chicken Pasta Bake by Farmersgirl Kitchen
- Pancakes with creamy garlic chicken by Recipes made Easy
- Curried chicken salad by The Copper Table
- Chicken Chow Mein by Curly’s Cooking
- Creamy tomato, chicken, rice soup by Family Food Kitchen
Substitutions and variations
VEGAN CLUB SANDWICH
There are some brilliant options for turning a club sandwich vegan. (Links go to Sainsbury’s).
The best vegan mayonnaise I have found so far is ‘Hellmann’s vegan mayo‘.
The best vegan bacon I have tried and would recommend is ‘This isn’t Bacon‘. A plant-based alternative.
For the chicken, I have a few options including ‘Linda McCartney’s vegetarian chicken pieces‘ (they are vegan). ‘Quorn pieces‘. ‘Naked Glory Roast Tenderstrips‘.
LEFTOVER ROAST CLUB SANDWICH
If you have leftover meats from your roast dinner on a Sunday then what about trying a beef club sandwich or even a lamb club sandwich. They both work incredibly well and it’s a great variation on the classic club sandwich recipe UK.
DIFFERENT LETTUCES/LEAVES
Spinach and rocket are different versions of leaves you can add to this chicken club sandwich. They add a little more peppery goodness to the finished sandwich.
FAQS
What is considered club sandwich?
A club sandwich is a sandwich made with three pieces of toasted bread, chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.
Some people make their sandwiches with all 4 fillings in each part of the sandwich. While others will have two of the fillings on either side of the middle piece of bread.
My favourite way to make a club sandwich is to have all 4 ingredients in each part. It makes it a giant sandwich but a giant tasty sandwich!
Why is it called a club sandwich?
There are a few histories given to why the club sandwich is called a club.
The first suggests that it was a favourite at the upper-class clubs and resorts in the 20th Century.
The second history suggests that chicken club sandwich comes from the acronym ‘chicken lettuce under bacon’.
I can safely say that it doesn’t really matter where it was invented or how but we can be happy it was created.
What’s the difference between a BLT and a club sandwich?
The club sandwich is the pimped up mega version of the humble BLT sandwich. While it keeps a club sandwich doubles up the bacon, lettuce and tomato, the club sandwich also adds an extra slice of bread in the middle plus chicken and mayonnaise.
It is a tower of a sandwich and is packed full of flavour.
Is a club sandwich healthy?
A club sandwich is a healthy sandwich choice. It has fresh salad and home-cooked playing chicken. You can make it even healthier by using seeded or wholemeal bread. Light mayonnaise could also help. It is also a hugely filling sandwich.
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Recipe
Club Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
- toaster
Ingredients
- 3 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 slices chicken (leftover roast chicken is perfect for this)
- 4 rashers bacon
- 100 g tomatoes
- 2 leaves iceberg lettuce
Instructions
- Take the 3 pieces of bread and toast them to your perfect golden brown level.
- On two of the slices divide the mayonnaise and spread it over.
- Build up the bottom half of the sandwich. I start with bacon, then add tomatoes, then lettuce and then chicken.
- Place the first piece of toast with mayonnaise on, mayonnaise down onto the chicken.
- Repeat again and top with the last piece of toasted bread mayonnaise down.
- Gently press down and secure the towering sandwich with toothpicks or cocktail sticks.
- Slice up and serve.
Video
Notes
- Remember the cocktail sticks are in the sandwiches and remove them before eating.
- Club sandwiches are a great way to use up leftover chicken.
- Club sandwiches taste delicious cold and can be kept for a 1-2 days in the fridge before eating.
- A great lunchbox sandwich idea.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Can’t beat the classics, and this sandwich is fantastic! I used spinach since I didn’t have any other type of lettuce last time and it was still tasty.
Oh that would be a delicious addition to the club sandwich.
I love this club its my favorite sandwich and everytime I make one I end up sharing it so so good! thanks
It is definitely the size that lends itself to sharing. Glad to find more club sandwich fans.
I had some leftover rotisserie chicken and turned them to this. So easy and delicious!
I agree. So easy and sooooooo delicious.
What an easy yummy recipe! Perfect for springtime picnics!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it
Who doesn’t adore a great club sandwich! These turned out so good. There wasn’t a crumb left over 🙂
Crumbless results are definitely good results.
My total favourite sandwich and I simply don’t make it often enough at home. Thanks for the simple instructions and for reminding me why this is the best sandwich!
Thank you Janice. I hope you enjoy one soon.
I remember the first time I became aware of Club Sandwiches. I was about 10 and we were at the Skyline Hotel, Heathrow meeting up with family friends. The friends ordered Club Sandwiches and I remember thinking how yummy they looked. So why I’ve never thought to make one I don’t know! You’ve now inspired me:-)
I really hope you enjoy making them. They are a classic for a reason!
Club sandwiches are my fave and I love how you’ve properly piled in the bacon (and not burnt the toast!)
I’ve had club sandwiches with one piece of bacon and I won’t have it. If you’re going for the club it has to be packed in!
First of All, I love your content, Sisley. I love club sandwiches and tried this recipe. This recipe is simply fantastic. The sandwich is easy to assemble and perfect.